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Cominazzo Family - Flintlock Pistol, about 1650-1675

Workshop of Cominazzo Family (active Gardone Val Trompia, 17th century)

Flintlock Pistol, about 1650-1675

Incised steel , 48.3 cm (19 in.)

Commentary

Isabella Gardner kept this object in the drawer of a commode in the Macknight Room. It has never been published, likely because of its hidden gallery location. Today safely kept in collections storage, this object was examined by museum and consulting conservators. They noticed surface corrosion, evidence of gunpowder, suggesting that this pistol was at one time fired—whether by a baroque aristocrat or a Boston lady is yet unknown....
Christopher T. Richards. "Collection Section." Staff Newsletter (Dec. 2014).